Innovative smuggler hides cocaine inside okra plants

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GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) - Authorities in Guyana say smugglers have found yet another way to smuggle cocaine out of the country.

The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit says a man was caught trying to ship 16 kilograms of the drug to the U.S. in hollowed out okra pods. Unit director James Singh said Thursday it was the first time he's head of someone trying this with okra, which is known as ochro in Guyana. Singh says on a one-to-ten scale he would give the smuggler a "four for innovation."

Smugglers in Guyana have attempted to use many products, including skin lotion, frozen fish and hot pepper sauce.

In this case, there was swift justice. Hadrick Cummings was caught at the airport Monday and pleaded guilty Wednesday. The 25-year-old was sentenced to five years in prison.